What is the New Concealed Carry Law?
photo courtesy of pixabay.com
The US Republicans have recently pushed a bill through the House of Representatives. This new law will ease restrictions for American citizens to own gun legally and to carry concealed weapons from one state to another.
In the face of recent mass shootings in Texas and Nevada, this is a controversial action. The bill clearly had some objectors. It passed 231-198. Six Democrats voted for it and 14 Republicans voted against the bill known as the Reciprocity bill or guns across state lines legislation.
What the bill does is allow licensed gun owners with a concealed-carry permit issued by their home state to carry a handgun legally to any state that allows concealed weapons.
There is some confusion here. Yes, when it becomes law the legislation will allow gun owners to travel freely states. They will no longer have to worry about what state laws say. This act would, in essence, override state laws which have up until now placed restrictions on guns coming into their state and/or local jurisdiction.
Those opposed to this legislation state that, when enacted, the law will endanger public safety. One Republican who represents Newtown, Connecticut, where 20 children and six teachers were killed in 2012 voted against the bill. She accused the government of undermining state powers and rights. Others have said that this law will allow dangerous criminals to walk around with concealed carry weapons.
Gabrielle Gifford, Democratic representative from Arizona, herself shot in 2011, denounced the House of Representative action in passing this legislation.
The National Rifle Association applauded the vote. They say it is the culmination of over thirty years of working toward the rights of law-abiding Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights to defend themselves when they cross state lines.
The Justice Department is reviewing what weapons will fall under this law. They are anticipating that things like bump and machine guns will not be covered under the new federal law.
The Democratic representative from Oregon noted that his state forces gun owners to meet some stiff conditions for obtaining a concealed-carry permit.
Some states allow concealed carry where almost any twenty-one-year-old resident ca obtain a gun permit.
Those who supported this new legislation noted that those who carry concealed handguns can defend themselves but are also better able to come to the defense of others like the Chicago Uber driver shot who was shooting into a crowd. A quick-acting concealed carry citizen stopped him until police arrived.
Other politicians insist that Georgia or New York or Washington states have no business telling Nevada or Arizona or Maine how to run their state. One News York Democrat commented that if more handguns made people safer US citizens should be the safest people in the world.
In a surprise move, the President who usually supports NRA’s wishes has opted to back the FixNICs Act. This legislation would strengthen background checks for all applications for concealed carry permits. While the current Reciprocity Act also contains language supporting stronger background checks, it also expands concealed carry rights and weakens state control of concealed carry.
